Kraus, Johnson, Ogilvie lead ‘Cats at Bonner

Only 10 athletes competed for BLHS. The Bonner Springs meet had originally been scheduled for Thursday but was pushed back after heavy rain soaked the area. A majority of the team was sent to the previously scheduled freshman-sophomore meet at Perry-Lecompton. Another 11 athletes were gone to the league forensics meet.

Still, those who were present performed well. Kraus took second in the pole vault, Johnson placed third in javelin and Ogilvie finished second in both the 110-meter high hurdles and the 300 intermediate hurdles.

"These three plus Kayla Peterson in the 1,600 and 3,200 are consistent at all meets," coach Steve Hopkins said. "Plus, Ethan Douglas had a poor day Monday, but has placed in two or three throwing events in every meet until Monday. He had an off day, but is working extra hard in the weight room and we will not back off his weights until right before league and hope to see even better results then."

Hopkins said Douglas' throwing mate, Johnson, is "gaining better consistency in all three throws; specifically the javelin, and looks to peak at the regional meet."

Ogilvie has improved his hurdle technique and is working on speed between the hurdles, according to Hopkins. He has also improved his times in the 300 hurdles, and it's possible that Ogilvie may have found a second event to attempt to qualify for state.

"Scott's times continue to improve and his conditioning is getting close," Hopkins said.

Kraus was able to tie her own school record for the pole vault during the meet.

"She is involved in track for the first time ever this year as a junior and can improve greatly due to this," Hopkins said. "Baily has increased her practice time in the technical aspects of the pole vault as the weather has improved."

Hopkins said it will be difficult for vaulters, throwers and hurdlers to work on the skills they need because there hasn't been a good week of weather. But he said the team is making progress.

"Our young athletes had an excellent meet competing against other ninth- and 10th-graders Monday at Perry-Lecompton and are beginning to improve their times and performances enough to be a threat to score points at the KVL meet on May 7," Hopkins said. "Our Seniors and experienced runners like Kayla Peterson will be counted on to place and medal at the league and regional meet. With two more weeks before the league meet we hope to perfect our technique and also to complete our conditioning."

What does the team need to improve upon before the league meet?

"Each person has to work to improve their times or performance to the nth degree," Hopkins said. "So many times the difference between a third and sixth place may be less than .2 seconds or one inch in a jump or throw. The first- or second-place winners are usually clearly better, but real team points can come from fourth place on."